Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Automation Equipment
Shield AI
Seattle, WA · $150k–$230k a year · Posted September 2, 2026
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Where Seattle, WA ranks
Where Seattle, WA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Pacific Northwest316 jobs · of 8
- #1Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Pacific Northwest1,776 openings · of 14
- #2Best cities for energy and utilities pay after cost of living$180k · of 18
- #2Best cities for entry-level jobs that want AI skills in the Pacific Northwest17% · of 12
- #2Best cities for AI-skill jobs in the Pacific Northwest26% · of 17
- #2Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the West Coast1,776 openings · of 60
Rankings about engineering jobs
- Best cities for software and engineering jobs #1 San Francisco (3,412 openings)
- Best cities for engineering pay after cost of living #1 San Mateo ($216k)
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- Employers with the most engineering jobs #1 Amazon (2,992 roles)
How AI is used in this kind of work
AI use among industrial engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for industrial engineers: 4% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
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About the job
Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description: We are seeking a Staff Manufacturing Engineer to lead the design and implementation of production automation equipment for advanced manufacturing. This engineer will own the technical scope from process definition and analytical sizing through concept development, detailed design, system integration, FAT, installation, SAT, production ramp, and handoff.
What you'll do:
Develop analytical models for takt time, cycle time, OEE, capacity, buffers, labor, utilities, reliability, and overall automation-system performance.
Research and qualify advanced automation technologies that improve manufacturability, process capability, throughput, safety, and maintainability.
Lead process definition, concept development, and detailed engineering design for automation cells, tooling, fixtures, robot end effectors, motion systems, material handling, guarding, and service access.
Develop RFQs, equipment and functional specifications, interface requirements, procedures, verification plans, and FAT/SAT acceptance protocols.
Define integrated mechanical, electrical, controls, robot, vision, servo-motion, recipe, traceability, fault-recovery, and Digital Factory interface requirements.
Own automation projects from design reviews through risk-mitigation planning, build, debug, installation, commissioning, ramp, and production handoff.
Execute PFMEA, control-plan development, MSA, capability studies, fault-recovery testing, FAT, SAT, and rate demonstrations.
Troubleshoot equipment and process failures, implement corrective actions, and improve quality, availability, MTBF, MTTR, and lifecycle support.
Required qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
10+ years designing, developing, integrating, or commissioning industrial automation equipment.
Strong mechanical design experience with machinery, tooling, fixtures, GD&T, tolerance analysis, servo mechanisms, pneumatics, hydraulics, guarding, and machine safety.
Working knowledge of Siemens PLCs, HMIs, FANUC robots, PROFINET and PROFIsafe, machine vision, servo systems, and manufacturing-data interfaces.
Proficiency with Siemens NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar CAD tools and the ability to review electrical and controls documentation.
Experience leading system integrators and complex automation projects from concept through production handoff while managing technical scope, schedule, risk, and supplier performance.
Working knowledge of applicable OSHA, NFPA, UL, ANSI, and ISO Standards.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience with automated electromechanical assembly, servo-press, calibration, functional-test, hydraulic-test, or endurance-test systems.
Experience with automated cutting, forming, welding, cleaning, leak-test, or pressure-test equipment.
Experience with robotic coating, mixing and dispensing, cure-control, or inspection systems.
Experience with automated drilling, fastening, sealant dispensing, metrology, or large-assembly handling,
Experience with Digital Factory interfaces, serialized genealogy, and equipment-data integration.
#LI-JM1 #LD
Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.